I realize I like the top five more than most, but this is the obvious strength of the Dodgers, and they even have plenty of depth here even though most of their prospects took step backwards last season. Padilla is probably the game’s best sixth starter, and Ely is another nice arm to have in reserve.

The bullpen should also be very good, though it’d help plenty if Broxton returned to 2009 form. If that doesn’t happen, they’re going to need Kuo to stay healthy again and take over the closer’s role. … Belisario, who was so effective in posting a 2.04 ERA in 70 2/3 innings as a rookie in 2009, seems unlikely to make the team and could be part of a trade this spring.

Given that it’s always easy to find a cheap second baseman, it looks like the Dodgers really blew it by spending big on Uribe over the winter. Only Furcal from this group projects as anything more than an average regular and he’s missed big chunks of two of the last three seasons. Uribe is supposed to offer help there, since he can slide to shortstop if Furcal gets hurt. However, he’s not much of a defender there these days.

The Dodgers have given themselves plenty of options in left field, but none of them are very attractive at all. If Gibbons can post an 800 OPS against right-handers, then a platoon of him and Thames wouldn’t be too bad. However, putting those two in left would leave the Dodgers with one of the game’s worst defensive outfields. Ideally, Paul would step up and win the job. If not, the team might just be better off sticking Gwynn in center and putting defense first.

If I thought this team could actually score any runs, they’d be dangerous. Garland as your #5? They have the pitching. Question is, does Matt Kemp show up this year and does Andre Ethier not completely spit the bit after the All Star Break? (OK, that’s two questions. Sorry.)

Don’t forget the Giants & Padres in your list of similarly awful lineups. In other words, the whole freakin division is pretty weak in the lineup. Even Colorado does not look great outside of Tulo and CarGo, and those two are not completely without question marks…

The only ranking I can quibble with is Ramon Troncoso as I think you may have overvalued him – of course I hope you’re right!

The pitching should be strong so this team will go wherever Kemp, Either and Loney take them. If even 2 of those 3 take the strides that were expected last year, this team could have enough to take the NL West. The Giants offense is no better and their pitching will be hard pressed to match last year thanks to the extra innings they threw in the post season. The Rockies have not really added any pieces while both the Dbacks and Padres figure to be well back of everyone.